Arsenal in blockchain collectibles deal

Today Fantastec announced a blockchain licensing agreement with UK Premier League soccer club Arsenal FC. The company has a “SWAP” mobile app for blockchain collectibles targeted at gamers and sports card collectors. Arsenal confirmed the deal to Ledger Insights.

Fans can swap the collectibles between each other. When they have complete sets, the app unlocks rewards and enables them to earn rarer collectibles. The prizes include content such as footballer autographs and video.

Peter Silverstone, Arsenal’s Commercial Director, said: “As football fans, many of us remember collecting and swapping player cards with friends. This initiative with Fantastec SWAP brings that concept into today’s digital world and gives our fans access to unique Arsenal collectibles and content wherever they are in the world.”

“The majority of sports fans are now mobile-first and geographically distanced from their favourite teams,” said Simon Woollard Fantastec Product Partner. “Fantastec has developed a new approach for fans to engage in more valuable relationships with the teams and players they love, rewarding their activity in the app, and empowering them to own a genuine share of a club’s history – timestamped and safely protected on the blockchain.”

Other sports initiatives

Another sports blockchain startup is socios.com. Last year it signed deals with high profile soccer clubs such as Italy’s Juventus and Paris Saint. Germain (PSG). The emphasis with socios is to trade crypto tokens which enable fans to vote on certain team decisions.

Blockchain ticketing is another sports area that has seen some action. Six months ago UEFA announced the trial of a blockchain-based ticketing app. In October Ticketmaster bought US-based Upgraded which targets sports events.

UK-based Footies Tech is working on ticketing and is chaired by Ian Ayre the former CEO of UK Premier League soccer club Liverpool.